Revolution of the Middle... and the Pursuit of Happiness Free online reading

The current recession is not an ordinary economic correction; it's a symptom of the end of an era. All economic value comes from nature or society and we are rapidly depleting the productivity of both. Depletion of fossil energy and growing social inequity are but symptoms of an unsustainable economy. Continual economic growth is not sustainable. The sooner we face this reality, the sooner we can return to the true purpose of life - to the pursuit of happiness.

This will require a revolution - not just in matters of politics but in virtually every aspect of our lives. To transform our society and economy, we must transform ourselves. We must strive to use our individual gifts, aptitude, and abilities to realize our highest potentials. To do so, we must respect the basic truths of ecological, social, and economic reality. Living in harmony with the world around us is not only the key to creating a better world; it is the key to finding purpose and meaning in life, our key to the pursuit of happiness.

The wisdom in this audiobook is drawn from 40 years of study, experiences, and observations as an economist in four major state universities and in communities all across North America and around the world. I spent the first half of my career as an advocate of conservative, free-market economic thinking before concluding that the neoclassical concept of capitalism is simply not sustainable. I know where the dominant economic thinking of today is coming from; I have been there. This book is my latest effort to help people understand what we must do, individually and collectively, not only to create a sustainable economy but also to sustain society and humanity.